Prostitution as a Subject of Debate

The purpose of this research is to discuss whether legal sanctions against prostitution in the United States should be continued, or whether prostitution should be legalized. In approaching this issue, the history of prostitution shall be briefly presented, along with a discussion of the possible effects on public health. Several of the major arguments against prostitution shall be critically examined.

Prostitution may be defined as the practice of habitual or intermittent sexual intercourse, more or less promiscuous, for profitable purposes. It is thus characterized by three elements: payment, usually involving money, although gifts and other favors may constitute payment; promiscuity; and emotional indifference, which results from the elements of payment and promiscuity.

The element of profit was not always profit for the prostitute. In primitive societies, all profit from prostitution sometimes went to the prostitute's parents or hu

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s nonetheless. PHILOSOPHICAL ARGUMENTS By far the most common argument against legalizing prostitution is that it constitutes sexual immorality. The prostitute, according to the moralist, is a sinful creature that ought to be restrained by civilized society. To engage in prostitution signifies a total loss of character. Prostitution is degrading for all parties involved, but especially the women. America's Christian heritage--especially Lutheran and Calvinist-is both anti-sexual and anti-hedonistic. Sexual activity is seen only as a necessary evil for procreation. To enjoy the activity verges on sin; and to enjoy it so much as to be promiscuous or to make a profit from it is outright sinful (Ericsson, 1980, pp. 337-338). The fact that prostitution never was and never will be a threat to reproduction within the family is obvious. The United States nor virtually any other country has ever been plagued with the problem of too little population growth. Similarly, prostitution is not a threat to the institution of the family. People get married and visit prostitutes for very different reasons. In fact, the greatest threat to the family is also the greatest threat to prostitution--namely, complete sexual liberty for both
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Some common words found in the essay are:
FEMINIST OPPOSITION, Lutheran Calvinist-is, , PROSTITUTION Prostitution, Ewe Tshi, PHILOSOPHICAL ARGUMENTS, Paul Lacroix, Las Vegas, Bakoko Cameroon, Church England, sexual activity, argument prostitution, legal sanctions, elements payment, lacroix 1931, religious faith, engels 1970, marriage convenience, payment promiscuity, ericsson 1980,
Approximate Word count = 1462
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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